Managing a perfectionist

[malumbu]

Any views about how to manage someone who cannot see the wood from the trees as no one else can meet the individual's own high standards? Have a serious meeting with the individual and their trade union on Monday.

Obviously I should consult with the sales staff of Lordship Lane Carpets first, and the perfectionist must have a problem in being managed by a knobhead like me.

But serious suggestions appreciated. Got some good stuff by simply Googling the title of the thread.

[????]

Sounds like you've made your mind up about them already, ever thought that could be part of the problem?

[malumbu]

Yes, in deed, I have made my mind up, the person is a perfectionist. That brings with it a lot of positive traits.

But I want advice on how to manage said person and get them to broaden their horizons rather than focusing at times on doing things to 120% whilst the workload mounts up. A list of bullet points on a page if fine for a brief report, it doesn't need to be beautifully formatted and then consulted on before rewriting. But if I say that it looks like I am being negative, and if I say 'lets think about how we can raise our profile' it is read as 'I am failing'. Which the person is not.

[womanofdulwich]

perhaps you could set out exactly what 100% as opposed to 120%?

Can you bench mark it somehow?

can you compare it with a competitors product/ service- can they try being a customer of another competitor and see what 100% IS?

[reeko]

Been there and I had to get very specific. Down to the level of detail of asking how long it took to make the lovely name plates, what value they added to the event versus being available to deal with weather induced travel chaos. Perfectionists are great, you just have to point them in the right direction.